Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2020 14:59:31 +0000 (UTC) From: Albert Collins Subject: You were there -- Part 1 Disclaimer: This is a romantic love story about love between young adolescent boys. There will be some explicit sex scenes in the story later, in subsequent chapters, but they are not the main focus of the story. So if you are looking for a story with a lot of explicit action, you are in the wrong place. If you like to read a sappy romantic tory with occasional kinky sex scenes, then please sit back and enjoy! Of course, comments and constructive criticism are welcome! albert.c87@yahoo.com ******************************************************************** The boy was still crouched in the corner of the room when Wade, a tall square-jawed broad-shouldered FBI agent who had been his handler and companion for the last three weeks, walked through the door. "Okay, kid, listen carefully, we finally have your situation sorted out," Wade said. "We are setting you up, through the federal witness protection program, with a new identity, and placing you in a small orphanage in New Hampshire. An old army buddy of mine, Frank Carter, runs that place with his wife. It's a real good place and they will take good care of you. With luck the cartel people bought the story about about your death and will not find you there." "Here, take a look at your new documents. Your new name is Diego Torres, 12 years old. The old you no longer exists. Repeat it: Diego Torres." "Diego Torres," the boy repeated slowly, mechanically, without lifted his head. "Good," Wade continued. "Now, Diego, listen up. I am really sorry that we could not let you come to your parents' and your sister's funeral. Remember, officially, it was your funeral too. And I am sorry that we cannot let you take any of your old things with you, including any photographs or family papers or anything else. We actually managed to salvage quite a few things from your house and put them in storage. They will be there, when you grow up. But for now, you have to disappear. Remember, the old you no longer exists." Wade paused and looked at the kid. The boy was looking so lifeless, so forlorn. Wade sighed, but carried on. "Here is the most important rule from now on: Tell absolutely no-one who you really are. Not your friends, not the teachers, not the priests, not the police officers, not the doctors, not the judgers, not the councilors, not even Frank and his wife. Frank knows that you are with the witness protection, and that your parents were killed, but he does not know any details. Keep it that way. I know that you are just a kid and can't lie very well, so don't try. If anyone asks about your past, avoid the subject and say that you can't and don't want to talk about it because there is too much trauma involved. If pressed say that you are originally from California -- which is of course, true. I am giving you this turtle pendant to wear around your neck. Wear it all times, even when you shower and swim, as the thing is water proof. The bottom side of the pendant is the panic button. Press it twice for five seconds each time, and I will come and get you. I will try to stop by Fran's place from time to time to see how you are doing. With luck, we will be able to find you a new family to adopt you." Wade placed the pendant around Diego's neck and fastened it in the back. Diego still has not lifted his head. Wade continued: "Diego, here, study carefully these new documents we made for you. We made you two months older than you really are, so your new birthday is January 24. But you are still 12 years old, and you just finished sixth grade. Also: take off all of your clothes, including socks and underwear, and put them in this bag. Then put on these other clothes I brought here for you. They are not brand new, but they are your size and they have no identifying marks." Wade lifted the boy's chin and looked into Diego's half-closed eyes. "Come on kid, hang in there. I know you have had it rough, but trust me, things are going to get better. You've got to have faith." Wade squeezed Diego's shoulder lightly and left the room. Diego slowly lifted the transparent plastic envelope with the documents that Wade gave him, but then quickly put it down without opening. He did not want to learn anything about this Diego Torres, he did not want to be Diego Torres, he did not want to be anything, he did not want to be, did not want to exist. He wanted to join his mom and dad and his 4-year old sister Alyssa in heavens or wherever they have gone to in the next life. He wanted the memory of being in the spinning and hurtling out of control car, of Alyssa's screaming voice, of his mom's ashen pale face, to just fade to black and disappear into nothingness, with every trace of his consciousness and self-awareness. Diego sighed slightly and started slowly peeling off his clothes, putting them into the bag. He knew that his suffering was not over yet. **** It was around 8:30 on Friday evening in mid-June, and 12-year old Luke was relaxing in his room at the Green Oaks boys' orphanage. The orphanage -- officially, a 'long term youth foster care facility' -- was located in the countryside, about 15 miles from Concord, New Hampshire. Being a country boy and a self-described 'hick', Luke really liked the surroundings. The school was over and the kids were enjoying the summer break. They just finished eating a rather hearty dinner that Margie, the wife of Frank, the owner and manager of the orphanage, prepared, and Luke was lazing out on the bed in his room thinking about his plans for tomorrow. Luke was already wearing his PJs: his favorite low-cut white A-shirt that nicely complimented his wiry physique, and grey flannel pants. Apart from some chores in the morning, his day was pretty free, and he was thinking of trying to convince Mark, one of the two resident councillors, to organize a forest hike. Suddenly there was a quick knock on the door, and Frank came in, while still talking on his cell phone. Luke quickly sat up. "Yeah, yeah, okay, got it, Wade, yeah, we will be ready," Frank said into the phone and hung up. He then looked up at the tall brown-haired boy sitting on the bed in front of him. "Listen, Luke, buddy, we have a bit of an emergency situation, and I need your help." Luke looked at Frank expectantly. "We have another boy coming in, just on his way here," Frank continued. "His name is Diego, and he is 12-years old, like you. He has been very severely traumatized. Both of his parents and his little sister were killed in car crash several weeks ago, and Diego is the only one left. He is completely withdrawn, almost catatonic, apparently did not even cry after his parents' death. He might even try to hurt himself." "Oh, man!" Luke exclaimed. "Yes, exactly," Frank agreed. "I want to put him up to room with you. He is your age, and you don't have a roommate at the moment. But that's just part of it, that's not really want I wanted to say ... I know that you are just a kid yourself and that it is not fair to saddle you with such problems. But you have a good heart, and I think Diego may have an easier time opening up to a boy his age rather than to an adult. What he really needs right now is a shoulder to cry on, to cry things out, to remember that his is a real kid and not a zombie. Do you think you can help him with that? Are you up to it?" "Absolutely, of course, Mr Frank, I will do what I can!" exclaimed Luke. "Here, I have got two shoulders for Diego to cry on, and he is welcome to use them both! But, seriously, if the kid is in trouble, I wanna help. Thanks for asking me and for trusting me!" "Great, thank you, Luke, I knew I could count you, kid! They are on their way here right now and should be here in about 10 minutes, so get ready. My buddy Wade is bringing him in. Here, I brought some stuff for him to use." Frank left several bags on the second bed in the room, opposite from Luke's, and run off. Luke quickly prepared the second bed for Diego. He put on fresh bedsheets, a new pillowcase and light comforter. In a little while he heard some commotion outside. Then Frank came in, followed by a tall quarter-back type guy in a grey suit holding by the hand a boy whom Luke assumed to be Diego. Luke thought that the boy was incredibly cute, even striking, although he was staring at the floor and had not lifted his eyes. Diego was skinny, about 4 inches shorter than Luke, with skin of the color of dark brown honey, with a hint of olive and amber, of beautifully smooth and silky complexion. He had a mop of short black hair, combed back, with exposed temples, displaying exquisitely shaped (in Luke's opinion), almost elven, ears and long black eyelashes. Diego's soft, sweet, elegant and tender facial features gave his face an almost magical ethereal quality, making him look like a beautiful young elf, although one with a terribly sad downcast gaze, who has just stepped out from a page of a fairy-tale book. Delicate red lips together with a shapely soft scooped nose with a cute turned-up tip provided an amazing combination, and Luke hand not even seen the boy's eyes yet. Luke, who some time ago has figured out that he liked boys way more than girls, felt his heart quicken. Diego was wearing baggy shorts, a long yellow t-shirt, and a pair of sandals that were showcasing nicely his cute delicate toes. Even in Diego's current zombie-like state, Luke could see that Diego's body moved with a certain grace and fluidity. Luke felt a wave of compassion and pity that such a lovely boy was apparently going through such a terrible time, and he resolved to help this new kid in any way he could. Frank and the grey suit guy, whom Luke assumed to be Wade, were still talking to each other, and Diego was still staring at the floor, clutching Wade's hand. Wade gave Frank a bag with Diego's papers and turned to the boy. "Okay, Diego, buddy, it's time for me to go. This is a good place and these people here will take good care of you, I promise." Frank started removing his hand from Diego's grasp and for the first time Diego exhibited a reaction. While still staring at the floor, he clasped Wade's hand harder, refusing to let go, and made a frightening low protesting guttural sound. It was the first sound Diego made since arriving, and both Frank and Luke were quite shaken by it. Frank tried to step in and squeezed Diego's shoulder: "Diego, son, as Wade says, this is a good place, a safe place, and you have nothing to fear here. Look, you will be staying with Luke here. He is 12, like you. He is a good kid, and he will make sure that you are OK." Luke slowly stepped forward and, acting on instinct, hugged Diego, who was still clutching Wade's hand. "Diego, buddy, I promise, you will be all right, we will be all right," said Luke will gently rubbing Diego's back with one hand and the back of his head with the other. The adults stepped back, sensing that Luke was on the right path. Diego exhaled deeply with a huge sigh and let go of Wade's hand. He slowly brought his arms around Luke, clasped them behind Luke's back, and then buried his face in Luke's shoulder. Suddenly Diego's body started shaking. At first Frank was alarmed but Luke signaled him that it was OK, sensing that a much needed release was coming. Diego started sobbing, first silently in short spasms, then louder, followed by a torrent of tears. "It's okay, Diego, buddy, it's okay, just cry it out, let it out, it's okay," Luke cooed soothingly, while continuing to gently stroke the smaller boy's back, comforting him. Diego was now crying uncontrollably, drenching Luke in a flood of tears. "Sshh-h, buddy, it's okay, I've got you now, I've got you," Luke continued to soothe and comfort him. Diego's body shook in a series of violent spasms, but Luke just held him tighter. Diego emitted a terrifying ear-splitting shriek, a wail of a wounded animal fighting for its life. Frank and Wade both jumped towards the boys, but again Luke, sensing that the worst moment had passed, waved them to stay back. Diego was still sobbing uncontrollably but his body started to relax in Luke's arms. He has just released weeks of pent up pain, grief, shock, and tears, and was starting to get weak and wobbly. Luke signaled to the adults that it was OK for them to leave, and Frank and Wade made a quick exit, closing the door behind them. Diego's sobs started to subside a little but he was still clearly overwhelmed and disoriented. Luke sensed that Diego would still need the comfort and closeness of his presence during the night. Luke turned off the light and fell onto his bed, continuing to hug Diego tightly, with Diego lying on top of him, his face buried in Luke's chest. For a while Luke continued lightly stroking Diego's back and hair. Eventually sleep overtook Luke and he drifted off. Outside Wade and Frank stopped for a few minutes, absorbing silently what has just happened. "That's quite a boy you've got there," said Wade eventually. "I think he's just worked a miracle on Diego. I do believe the kid will be OK now." "Yes, that's my Luke, he is quite a miracle worker. I'll tell you about him later. Yes, I reckon the worst is over now and the boy will be all right. Come on, buddy, Margie will make you a cup of tea before the road."